"Sour grapes may turn into sweet ice wine,
if we wait long enough,
just for it to become frozen on the vine."

Reflection of Time

Moving out for the first time is not easy. It is not only physically and mentally stressful, but also emotionally draining. No matter how eager you are to move to a new place, no matter how excited you are to stay in a brand new house, there is somehow something about the old home that you are going to miss.

So, 2010 is the first year my family is moving out to a new home. I am definitely going to miss our old house in the town. That is the place where i grew up in a huge extended family. That is the home which all of us siblings knew from birth. That is also the hub where relatives from far and near gather during homecoming.

The town house of ours has witnessed a succession of occupants in the family since generations ago. It is indeed a reflection of time. I am flying off to the States tomorrow and when i return home by next month, I will be stepping into a new house altogether. I know I will swell with a bundle emotions at that time - missing the old home in the midst of adjusting to the new one. But time changes. The old house has been our childhood home where all cousins gather and play, but who knows - 50 years down the road, the new house will become our grandchildren's get-together place.

"Climb every mountain,
Ford every stream,
Follow every rainbow,
Till you find your dream..."

Rodgers and Hammerstein

To believe

"When I'm able to walk on my own two feet again, when I'm able to manouver the steering wheel one fine day, I will come to see you on my own, doctor. I promise..."

Those were the most uplifting words I have heard since many months ago. So restorative they are, they also heal the heart of a listener like me. Those were the words which upraise my tainted heart after encountering so many lifeless souls and disheartened spirits at the medical house.

Indeed, there is no one else better to believe in, except for you yourself.

I hope, he will be able to make it one day, to walk on his own two feet again without aids, to drive a car and meet his doctor and proudly say "I've made it".

"... I get lost in the beauty
Of everything I see
The world ain't as half as bad
As they paint it to be..."

I decided to leave work at 5 sharp the other day, put on my trainers and went for a jog. After running a couple of rounds, i explored this little quaint town a bit with my camera and car, and I saw this little lake just off the main road. As I pulled up by the sandy bay, I saw an old couple fishing at the lake, with birds flying above them, and a soft breeze blowing against them - they were both wearing a peaceful look on their faces - such a tranquil moment for them, I thought.

And today is exactly one solid month since i left home to this new place. Senior staffs have been very warm and nice, and I noticed that the people here are generally cordial. The best thing is that, patients here seem to be friendlier and happier-looking too, and this gives a sense of satisfaction at the end of any tiring day.

Indeed, to adjust to a new place quickly, I realise that it's so much easier if we look at the positive side of things. For a big hospital in a relatively small town like this, I'm sure I'm here for a reason. And i'm starting to see the rationale of it.

I'll go back to that lake one day again. Just to chill and to watch the sunset, maybe.

I always enjoy train rides.

Watching the sunset on the west, followed by a light shower of rain thereafter - it was all so refreshing. I always love train rides, for they provide me a certain kind of mood, a feeling of serenity. As the train whizzes through the lush greeneries of the country, I cant help but to admire how well the scenery complements the beauty of Mother Nature. And today, especially after a great weekend, I gained new insight about living this life of mine, walking this path laid ahead of me.

Even though I was all alone, I knew I was never quite lonely. And that makes any ride, so pleasant and sweet.

From little things... that made up a year.

Now at the end of the first working year, life has to take a turn again.

More than a year ago, each of us started off as a total pharmacist-newbie - I didn't even know what Vasteral is (this drug never existed in my university textbooks!) A real noob I really was, for I used to wonder how seniors took only 5 seconds to screen a prescription, while i needed 5 minutes to screen one!

Today, after seeing thousands of faces, after talking to thousands of patients, after rotating between a dozen of departments, after learning about hundreds of medications and diseases, I believe we are now a different person each.

And, just when we all almost felt like we have known each other for a lifetime, we just have to step out of our comfort zone. But a year of memory is what we would truly cherish at the end of the day. We have travelled to the highlands together, we have made numerous 'makan' trips together and we have played endless games together. To me, preregistration training was not just about being able to complete the competencies targets expected of us, but it's also about working together as a team, building rapport with other healthcare professionals as well as with the patients, and most importantly - treasure the friendships which you have made throughout the one year.

Senior pharmacists and senior staffs in the hospital have been really warm to us, so we thank you for that.

With that, to all my dear ex-PRPs colleagues, i truly wish you all the best of luck!!! We shall all now look forward to a new working environment!